27 March 2015
The University of South Australia will today honour prominent Adelaide property developer Theo Maras, awarding him the title of University Fellow in recognition of his contribution to the University and the South Australian community.
Maras will be awarded the title during UniSA graduations today, concluding a week of ceremonies in which 3500 new graduates have crossed the stage at Adelaide Convention Centre.
UniSA Vice Chancellor Professor David Lloyd says Maras has championed the work of the University for many years and has contributed to numerous notable outcomes for the South Australian community.
Maras is the founder and Chairman of the Maras Group, a privately owned and operated South Australian company, and has been at the forefront of commercial and retail property investment and development for more than 30 years.
Prof Lloyd says the honour recognises Maras’ contributions on both public and private executive boards including the Rundle Mall Management Authority and his work on the Australian Centre for Child Protection Fundraising Board.
The Australian Centre for Child Protection Fundraising Board was formed to raise funds to ensure the sustainability of the centre, which was founded as a joint initiative between the University and the Australian Government in 2005.
“Theo successfully led the Board in a campaign to fund the Endowed Chair in the newly emerging field of child protection research,” Prof Lloyd says.
“Theo and the Board worked tirelessly to educate donors about the great benefits that would flow from their supporting the campaign and to secure funding from private donors and philanthropic organisations. His high profile leadership of the Board also enabled the centre to secure new project funds on a range of projects which are improving the life chances for vulnerable children across the nation.”
Prof Lloyd says Maras is continually influencing the city of Adelaide and its economic future.
“His extensive organisational and community involvement is testament to his commitment to give back to the community,” he says.
Maras’ University Fellow award will be made at this afternoon’s graduation ceremony at 3pm. At the same ceremony, Business SA Chief Executive Officer Nigel McBride will give the occasional address to graduands from the School of Commerce and School of Law.
Earlier in the week, UniSA Adjunct Research Professor in the School of Education, Professor Bruce Johnson was conferred with the title Emeritus Professor, while singer-songwriter and world music champion Peter Gabriel’s previously announced Honorary Doctorate was formally conferred in-absentia.
Other occasional address speakers over the week have been: SA’s Chief Scientist Professor Leanna Read; Board Directors John Hill and Mary Patetsos; Company Director Jim Howard; Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation Chairman Jim McDowell; UniSA School of Education’s Professor Lester-Irabinna Rigney; UniSA Sansom Institute for Health Research Director Professor Ian Olver; and UniSA Professor in Clinical Neuroscience and Chair in Physiotherapy Professor Lorimer Moseley.
UniSA’s regional graduation ceremony will be held in Whyalla on April 10. Addressing the Whyalla ceremony will be former Adelaide Lord Mayor and founder of city2050 Stephen Yarwood.
Media contact: Kelly Stone office (08) 8302 0963 mobile 0417 861 832 email Kelly.stone@unisa.edu.au
